Users tend to be split into two camps. On one side are folks like Steven "Woz" Wozniak, Apple, Inc. (AAPL) co-founder, who takes the perspective that Windows 8 (and its mobile brethren Windows Phone) are wildly innovative. "The Woz" commented in a recent interview, "I've seen more of the type of innovation (from Microsoft) where you see something: 'Whoa - they really changed things drastically. Whoa - they aren't even going the same direction as everyone else' - meaning the iPhone and Android operating systems."

He tries to buck the inevitable hate train that's coming down the tracks in his direction, telling Microsoft fans (which he claims to himself be one of):

Because this column is very critical of Microsoft's main product, some people will no doubt accuse me of being an Apple fanboy or a Microsoft hater. I'm neither. I switched from Macintosh to Windows many years ago and have been very pleased with Windows 7.

I have nothing against Microsoft. I happen to think that Windows 7 is a good product and that Windows 8 is a misguided one. I derived these conclusions from first principles of human–computer interaction theory and from watching users in our new research. One doesn't have to hate or love a company in order to analyze its UI designs.

I'll stay with Win7 the next few years and hope for better times with Windows 9. One great thing about Microsoft is that they do have a history of correcting their mistakes.

Of course there are plenty of counterarguments to his points. For example, blaming Microsoft for poorly designed live tiles or uncreative overly similar flat tiles is perhaps unfair. Many gestures have backup keyboard shortcuts for traditional PCs. Mobile-heavy users have already gotten used to hidden multi-tasking so hiding windows isn't the end of the world. Graphically rich themes may pack less information, but they encourage users to dig in and grab more information. The double desktop only becomes a hindrance if you have to keep going back to the traditional desktop as a crutch.

Our survey shows that roughly half of readers (45 percent) have made the upgrade to Windows 8, but a significant remaining portion (36 percent) have strongly negative opinions about it and no plans to upgrade, comparing it to such loathed releases as Windows ME or Windows Vista.

How long did you wait before assessing their opinions? One hour? One day? One week?

Most frustrations with Windows 8 can be chalked up to the initial loss of productivity which isn't unique to the OS. This is similar to the frustration you feel when jumping into a rental car that you haven't driven before. My biggest shock was driving a Prius for the first time. My initial frustrations dissipated within a couple of hours once I became familiar with it.

With that said, I don't give TWO SHITS about anyone's opinion of Windows 8's usability at this moment. Six months from now, I'll give THREE SHITS.

Most desktop users will see the new Start Screen as the permanent replacement for the Start Menu: Something they'll never have to use unless they want to start an application. Most people will live on the desktop which hasn't gone away.

"Most frustrations with Windows 8 can be chalked up to the initial loss of productivity which isn't unique to the OS."

However, unlike previous version of Windows which all (except, arguably, 98SE) actually provided upgrades in desktop usability, Win8 will be found to be a detriment by advanced desktop users even after the lack of familiarity is overcome, just as the reviewer and I have found.

There is zero added value for desktop users in this "upgrade." The claimed new security features will be compromised overnight via the bazillion bugs undoubtedly present and there's nothing new in terms of important things like the file system even remotely as significant as was the introduction of NTFS. The roadblocks to desktop usability are made obvious in every review I've seen or read, all of them mentioning "workarounds."

Just as one example, I use multiple windows all of the time which was the whole point behind a windowing OS for god's sake. But since 4" screens on smart phones can't use them, I don't have them on my 24" desktop monitor either. Complete BS.

This "upgrade" OS is nothing more than a strong arm attempt to force all Microsoft OS users into a common UI, even if that UI actually causes a downgrade in desktop system usability. I'll pass...

Completely untrue. THERE ARE MULTIPLIE WINDOWS IN WINDOWS 8!!People really REALLY should use and CUSTOMIZE W8 before posting opinions on sites, or publishing them like "studies" please, opinions ARE NOT studies....